Marijuana arrests are the engine driving the U.S. war on drugs. Nearly half of all drug arrests each year are for
marijuana-related offenses, the overwhelming majority of which are for personal possession. These arrests fall disproportionately on blacks and Latinos, although whites consume marijuana at the same rate or higher. Many of those who are arrested are saddled with a criminal conviction that can make it difficult or impossible to vote, obtain educational loans, get a job, secure housing, or even adopt a child. Additionally, the huge number of marijuana arrests each year usurps scarce law enforcement, criminal justice, and treatment resources at enormous cost to U.S. taxpayers.
Marijuana prohibition has also caused incalculable violence and destruction by fostering an illegal marijuana market. Organized crime, drug cartels, and gangs are the greatest financial beneficiaries of marijuana prohibition. In Mexico, illegal marijuana sales have contributed to the loss of tens of thousands of lives.
The Drug Policy Alliance aims to reduce the number, racially disproportionate nature, and potential collateral consequences of marijuana arrests, as well as other harms resulting from marijuana prohibition.
Legislation Will Save State Tens of Millions of Dollars Per Year, Bring Fairness and Equity to Broken Marijuana Law, and Prevent Tens of Thousands of Illegal Arrests This Year
New ACLU Report Finds That Marijuana Arrests Cost Taxpayers Over $675 Million Per Year; Arrests Lead to Egregious Racial Disparities in All NY Counties
NYC: Today, New York elected officials called on Senate leaders to put to a vote a bill that will end the biased and costly practices of falsely arresting tens of thousands of people in New York for low-level marijuana possession. They were joined by dozens of advocates and impacted people to urge passage before the legislative session ends next week. The proposal outlined in Gov. Cuomo’s 2013 State of the State Address would decriminalize possessing up to 15 grams of marijuana in public view, while smoking in public would remain a misdemeanor.
Legislation to Save State Tens of Millions of Dollars Per Year, Bring Fairness and Equity to Broken Marijuana Law Passed Assembly Two Weeks Ago; Senate Must Act Before End of Session to Prevent Tens of Thousands of Illegal Arrests This Year
New ACLU Report Finds That Marijuana Arrests Cost Taxpayers Over $675 Million Per Year; Arrests Lead to Egregious Racial Disparities in All NY Counties
NYC: On Friday, June 14th, New York City elected officials will call on Senate leaders to put to a vote a bill that will end the biased and costly practices of falsely arresting tens of thousands of people in New York for low-level marijuana possession. They will be joined by dozens of advocates and impacted people to urge passage before the legislative session ends next week. The proposal, outlined in Gov. Cuomo’s 2013 State of the State Address, would decriminalize possessing up to 15 grams of marijuana in public view, but smoking in public would remain a misdemeanor.
Solid Majority Also Now Supports Legalizing, Taxing and Regulating Marijuana for Personal Use
Overwhelming Public Support Adds Momentum to Pending Senate Bill that Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use
Trenton, NJ—An overwhelming majority of New Jerseyans support reducing the penalty for simple marijuana possession from a criminal offense to a small fine similar to a traffic ticket, according to a new poll of likely voters by Lake Research Partners. The poll was commissioned by the Drug Policy Alliance.
ACLU Report Finds D.C. Leads All 50 States in Per Capita Marijuana Arrests and Money Wasted
Recent Poll Finds Three Out of Four D.C. Voters Want to Remove Criminal Penalties for Marijuana Possession
D.C. Councilmembers Plan Legislation to Reduce Penalties for Possession; Nations Leading Drug Policy Reform Organization Calls for Elimination of All Penalties for Drug Possession
District of Columbia residents are arrested for marijuana possession at greater rates than residents of any U.S. state and D.C. taxpayers pay more per capita on marijuana arrests in the country, according to a groundbreaking report issued yesterday by the American Civil Liberties Union that examines nationwide state and county marijuana arrest data by race.
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